Lead wire threading machine



March 8, 1960 F. T. MAY

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 17, 1954 INVENTOR. FEEpEz/f/r 7T MAY.

17mm/EY.

March 8, 1960 F. T. MAY

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1954 MarCh 8, 1960 F, T, MAY 2,927,365

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1954 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. T. MAY

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE March 8, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 17, 1954 March 8, 1960 F. T. MAY 2,927,365

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE Filed May 17. 1954 1o sheets-sheet s March s, 1960 F. T. Mm 2,927,365

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE F. T. MAY

LEAD WIRE' THREADING MACHINE March 8, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 17, 1954 IN VEN TOR.

www@ M March 8, 1960 F. T. MAY 2,927,365

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1954 10 Sheets-$heet 8 HWP/VE March 8, 1960 F. T. MAY

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE l0 Sheets-ShedI 9 Filed May 17, 1954 Y. W N MM I W mwlwlm March 8, 1960 F. T. MAY

LEAD WIRE THREADING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet lO Filed May 17. 1954 llnited States Patent C M $27,365 LEAD wma rrraEADlNG MACHuvE Frederick 'I'. May, Verona, NJ., assigner to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 17, 1954, Serial No. 439,249

4 Claims. (Cl. 29-25.19)

The present invention relates to the manufacture of incandescent lamps and, more particularly, to an incandescent lamp lead wire threading machine.

incandescent lamps having a major and minor lament in series, which are capable of individual operation orA series operation, are known in the art as 3-way light incandescent lamps. The base employed for the 3-way light incandescent lamp comprises a shell electrically insulated from a ring which in turn is, also electrically insulated from m eyelet. The lamp mount has three leading-in and supporting conductors or lead wires, one of which is connected to one leg of the minor lament. A second is connected to one leg of the major filament and the third leading-in or common conductor is joined to the other legs of the major and minor filaments. During the threading operatic-n prior to the basing of the lamp, the minor filament lead wire is threaded through a hole in the base ring, the major filament lead-wire conductor is threaded through the eyelet, and the common lead wire is juxtaposed over the upper lip of the base shell. ln the past two operators have been employed to position and thread the lead wires or" the 3-way light incandescent lamp into the base.

Hence, it has been found advantageous according to the invention to provide a semi-automatic lead wire threading machine which, when synchronized with a basing machine, threads and positions the lead wires into the base and places the threaded lamp and base in a basing head of a finishing or basing machine. The machine ot the invention has a rotatable turret for carrying a plurality of heads, for example 5, and indexable through a like number of work stations. The threading machine is provided with a base positioning mechanism at station 3, a lead wire threading mechanism at Station 4 and an automatic lamp transfer device and lCC Ptented Mar. 8, 1h50 Fig.V 2-is a plan elevational view ofY thevlead wire tl'ireadingv machine showing its drive mechanism and a portion of a synchronized multiple head incandescent lamp finishing or basing machine which utizes the threaded lam-p produced byl the lead wire` threading machine.-

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the lead wire threading machine along the line lll--lll of Fig, 2 in thedirection of the arrows. i

Figfi a vertical sectionaleview of a baserpositioning mechanism at station 3 of the threading machine along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows, but shown on a larger-scale.

Fig. 5 'isa vertical lsectional View of the base positionf ing mechanism of'lig.y 4 along the line V--V of Fig. 4 inthe direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the base positioning mechanism of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view `of the base positioning mechanism along the line VII- VII of Fig.4 in

- threadingV mechanism at station 4 along the line threading and basing machine head pull-down device at station 5.

Although at present the lead wire threader of the invention is semi-automatic due to the fact that the operator loads the lamp and base into the machine by hand it is possible to provide an automatic base loader and an automatic bulb transfer device on an adjacent sealex machine, thus making the lead wire threading machine fully automatic.

In its general aspect the present invention has asits objectivean automatic lead wire threading machine which is synchronized with an automatic lamp basing machine.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains as the description thereof proceeds, both by direct recitation and by implication of the context.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals of references Vindicate similar parts throughout the several views:`

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an exhausted incandescent lamp and a b ase showing a threaded lamp pro-duced' by the lead wire threading machine of the invention.

Xl-)G of Fig. 2 in the direction ofthe arrowsl (on. the same scale as Fig. 4), showing lead wirestretching and positioning jaws in their lowermost closed position and hollow lead wire receiving needles and base delivery plunger in their uppermost position.

' Fig. l2 is a vertical sectional view ofthe leadwire threading mechanism of Fig. 11 along the line XII-XII of Fig. ll in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 11 of the leadV wire threading mechanism along the line Xll-Xlll of Fig. 2, in the direction of the arrows, showing the lead wireV threading` mechanismin the operating position lwith the lead wire jaws in the closed uppermost position and ready to open, the hollow needles at the end of their down stroke position and having the upperl end of the lead vwires thereinside and the base delivery plunger in contact with the base partwayV through the downstro'ke.

14 is-a horizontal sectional view of the lead wire threading mechanism along the line XIV- '-XIV in Fig. 13 in the direction of the arrows.

' Fig. l5 is a side elevational view partially in section (similar to Figs." ll and 13) of the lead wire threading mechanism, showing the lead wire jaws in their open position, the hollow needles still in their lowermost position and the base delivery plunger at the end of its down stroke'having delivered the base over the end of the bulb.

Fig. 16 is a Vertical sectional view of the lead wire threading mechanism along the line XVl-XVl ofvP-ig; l5` in the directionl of the arrows.

Fig. 17 is` a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lead wire threading' mechanism along the line XVII- XVII of Fig. l5 in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view of the lead wire stretching and positioning jaws of the lead wire threading mechanism in their closed lowermost' position which is similar to the'position of the jaws shown in Fig. 1-2.

Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional vewof the lead wire stretchingand positioning jaws along the line XIX- XIX ofFig. 18 inl the-direction of the arrows.

fer mechanism at station along the line XXIlfI--XXII- of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows, showing the transfer mechanism in its normalnon-transfer position, but on a larger scale than Fig. 2.

Fig. 24 is a top elevational view of the lampgtransfer mechanism of Fig. k23 showing the mechanism inits normal non-transfer position. j

Fig. 25 is a top elevational view similar to Fig. 24 but showing the lamp transfer mechanism in its transfer position.

. Fig. 26 is a `vertical cross-sectional view of the lamp transfer mechanism along the lines XXVI-XXVI of Fig. 23 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 27 is a vertical cross-sectional view ofthe lamp transfer mechanism along the line XXVII-XXVII of Fig. Y23 is'the direction of the arrows.

Fig.V 28 is a view similar to Fig. 27 alongthe line XXVIII- XXVIII of Fig. 23 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional viewrof the lamp transfer mechanism along the `line XXIX- XXIX ofrFig. 3, but shown on a larger scale.

Fig. 30 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of one of the base holder spindles of the threading machine along the line XXX-XXX of Fig. 23 in the direction of the arrows. Y Y

Y Fig. 31 is a .perspective view of the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism of the lead wire threading mechanism of the lead wire threading machine of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings,`and particularly to Figs: 2 and 3, the reference numeral 10 designates a lead wire'threading machine of the invention. The machine has a rotatable turret 20 (Figs. 2, 3,

23 .and 24) for carrying a plurality of lamp holder heads 40,"for example 5 .in the present showing of Fig. l, which are indexable through a like vnumber of stations by a drive mechanismV 50. Y 1

The turret isV rotatable on suitable bearings in a hollowf support shaft 22 (Fig. 3), upstanding in a turret mounting casting from a table 26 of a frame 28 ofthe machine 10. In Vaddition to the table 26, the frame 28 has a drive mechanism mounting platform 29 (Fig. 3) which may be suitably integrated with the table 26 by upstanding columns or posts (not shown).

Referring particularly to Fig. l an incandescent lamp 70 has an envelope 72 sealed by the neck portion to a filament mount (not shown). This lamp 70 has beenV sealed and exhausted, as for example on a conventional lamp 70. At station 4" the major filament lead wire 82 and the minor filament lead wire 86 are threaded respectively through the eyelet 84 and the ring 88 of the base 78, automatically by a lead wire threading mechanism 102 ('Figs. l1 through 20|). At station 5 the lamp 70, properly threaded to the Ybase 78, is transferred automatically by a lamp transfer device 104 (Figs. 23 through and of the typeY disclosedin U.S. Patent No.2,823,809,

l issued February 18, 1958 to the inventor of the subject application) from the head 40 ofthe machine 10 to a basing machine head 106 (Fig. 2) of the basing machine 108. The heads and 106 have been opened by a head pull-down mechanism 110 (Fig. 3) vof the machine 10 at station 5.

` Drive mechanism The drive mechanism 50 (Figs. 2 and 30) may be vdriven from a main cam drive shaft (not shown) of the adjacent basing machine 108 by means of an intermediate idler shaft (not shown) of the basing machine 108 which is connected by means of a sprocket chain 112 to a sprocket 114 on a gear shaft 116 of the lead wire threading machine 10. This gear shaft 116 is suitably journaled in a pair of upstanding bearings 118 mounted on the floor or the bottom mounting platform 29 of the machine 10, and carries a spiral drive gear 120 which meshes with a driven gear 122 on a main cam and indexing mechanism vdrive,V shaft 124 of the lead wire i threading machine 10. v

The main cam shaft 124 of the lead wire threading machine 10 is suitably journaled in a plurality of, for example two (in the presentV showing of Fig. 2) bearings 126 upstanding from the bottom mounting platform 29 l of the lead wire threading machine 10. This main cam shaft 124 carries thereon a base positioning mechanism operating cam 128 near its left hand end and between Y the bearings 126 (from left to right when viewed in Figs.

Indexing mechanism Above the table 26 the lower end of the turret support shaft 22, carries a Geneva driven gear or maltese cross follower 150 (Figs. 2,V 3 and 23) provided with a plurality of, for example five (in the present showing of Y Fig.- 2) radial follower slotsr152 equally spaced about the periphery of the follower 150 and extending inwardly from the periphery toward the center of the follower 150. The periphery of the Geneva follower 150 which 'connects the follower slots 152 is suitably concaved inwardly and of generally semi-cylindrical configuration. A rotatable Geneva drive gear or driver 154 is fixed to the upper end ofa Geneva drive shaft 156 upstanding (through the table 26) from the bottom mounting platform 29 of the frame 28 of the machine 10. This driver 154 carries an outwardly extending lug for mounting thereon' a drive sealex machine, and has its exhaust tube 76 tipped-off, as

at 77, prior to transfer to the lead wire threading machine 10 of the invention. A base 78 preiilled with a suitable cement has been positioned about thesealed portion of the lamp so that the outer portion of a major filament lead wire 82 is threaded through the eyelet 84 of the base 78. A minor filament lead wire 86 has been threaded through a suitable hole in the base ring 88 and a common lead wire is juxtaposedover the open end of the base shell 92. Y Y Y At station "l or station "2 (Fig. 2) a lamp 70 .may be loaded manually into a head 40 on the turret 20. At station "3 a base 78 is loaded into a basepositioning mechanism (Figs. 4 through 10) andis positioned thereby with respect to the'lead wires 82'and 86 ofthe.

roller 158 engageable in the follower slots 152 for indexing (through rotation of the driver 154)l the turret 20.

A Geneva drive sprocket (Fig. 3)l on the shaft 156 below the table26 is connected by a suitable sprocket .Y chainV 160 to a right angle drive 162. The right angle drive'162 is driven by means of Va sprocket V164, Fig. 2 (carried on its drive shaft) through a sprocket chain 166 by a sprocket 168 on the main cam shaft 124 of the lead wire threading machine 10. Lamp kolder head Each ofthe bulb holders 40 (Figs. 2, 3,74, 5, 23 and 30) has a bulb holder nest 172 contoured to tit the'dome of an envelope 72 of a lamp 70, and is'carn'ed on the upper end of a bulb holder shaft or spindle 174. This shaftp174 (Fig.`3) is reciprocable. and rotatable in suit able bushings 175 in a hub 176 of the, turret Y20. `The lower portions'of the shaft 174 which extends below the hub 176 carry, in order, a bulb holder rotating gear 178 of a bulb holder rotating mechanism 179, Figs. 3, 21 and 22 (hereinafter to be described) and a pull down arm 180 on the lower extremity thereof for engagement with the pull down mechanism 110 of the threading machine 1t! and the basing machine 168 as hereinafter explained.

Referring particularly to Figs. 23 and 30, the spindle 174 is provided with a vertical axial hole adjacent the lower portions of the hub 176 for retention therein of a recovery spring 133. A pin 134 extends through a retaining ring 1%5', a vertical pin clearance slot 186 in the spindle 176, a recovery spring retaining insert 187 and thence'through the slot 13o and the ring 185. A generally U-shaped ring retaining bracket 188, secured by bolts to the hub 175 retains the ring against the bottom of the hub 1745. it will be understood that the ring 185, and insert 187 rotate with the spindle 176 but do not reciprocate therewith.

The turret 2li is provided with mount rod hubs 189 (Figs. 3, 4, 5, 23 and 24). Each of the hubs 189 carries an upstanding mount rod 1%. As shown in section in Fig. 5, a bulb holding jaw mounting plate 192 is secured to the mount rods 19h. This plate 192 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 24 and 25) carries a pair of upstanding bulb holding jaw operating shafts 193 (Fig. 2) on which are mounted a pair of meshing gears 1%, and a pair of spring biased bulb holding jaws 1'56 (Fig. 5).

An operating lever 2% (Figs. 2 and 24) carried on the lower portions of the driver shaft 193 carries a suitable roller for engagement with a reciprocating cam 202 carried on the bulb transfer mechanism 1524 at station 5, the transfer station of the machine 10, or for hand operation to facilitate the loading of a lamp 7i) into a head Eetween stations 2 and 3 (Figs. 2 and 24) the roller on the operating lever 2th) engages a stationary cam 203 mounted, as hereinafter explained on theilamp transfer mechanism 19d to open the jaws 1% when the lamp 7d is rotated 180 by the lamp holding head rotating mechanism 179. It will be understood that as the roller on the operating lever 299 engages the stationary cam 262 (Figs. 23 and 24) that the driver gear 194 is rotated clockwise and the driven gear 194 is rotated counterclockwise (from the plan view of the jaws), thus opening the jaws 196 to permit the transfer or removal of a lamp 7h from a head #all by the transfer mechanism 194.

At stations l or 2, the lamp loading stations, an operator merely inserts the dome of the envelope 72 of an inverted lamp 70 into the bulb nest 172 with the axis of the lamp 76 inclined obliquely from the vertical. The operator then pushes the neel: of the bulb 72 between the spring biased bulb holder jaws 195, thus seating the lamp 79 axially within a bulb holder 40.

It will be understood from the showing of Figs. 2 and 3, that the head 1% of the basing or iinishing machine 15.33 is similar in construction to the larnpl holding head @il of the lead wire threading machine 10 and is reciprocable vertically, as is the head dil, by the head pull down mechanism 11i?.

H @ad pull-down mechanism The mechanism 115 (Fig. 3) 'for a head 1li) of the threading and a head 166 of the basing machine 19S may be considered as part of the lamp transfer mechanism 194i, hereinafter to be described. It has a horizontal lever shaft 216 journaled in a pair of brackets 212 which depend from the table 25 or' the machine 1G. A pair of cam levers 213 (Fie. 2) rotatable on the shaft 219, each carry a cam roller on its free end for engagement respectively, witn the threading machine lamp head push-down cam 13 and the basing machine head pull-down cam 144i. The other end of each lever 213 is connected to a vertical reciprocable connecting 216 extending through a suitable bearing in the table 25. Each connecting rod 216 carries a yoke 218which is engageable d with the horizontal pull-.down arm .18d-oir the bulb holder spindle 174.

peraton At station 5, the transfer station, the cams 138 and 144 move the levers 213 upwardly at a predetermined time. Hence, the connecting rods 216 and the heads 40 and 168 move downwardly therewithin and permit the horizontal transfer of thethreaded lamp from` the head dil to a position axially aligned with a head 106 of the basing machine 198. The recovery springs within the spindles 17e' return the nests 172 of the heads 44] and 106 to their normal up position during the next index of the machines l@ and 108, when either the pull-down arms 1S() slide o the yokes 218 or the pull-down cams 138 and 144 return the nests 172 to their up position through reversal of the above described linkage.

During the index from station 2 to station 3 the bulb holder head rotating mechanism 179 turns the bulb holder il? and lamp 76 held therein l8il. A base holder head 25d, integrated with the turret Ztl as hereinafter explained, and the base 78 do not rotate with the head.

Bulb holder head rotating mechanism The bulb holder rotating gear 178 of the bulb holder rotating mechanism 179 (Figs. 2l and 22) fixed on a spindle 174 of a bulb holder head 4d as hereinbefore 'described (Fig. 3) has two diametrically opposed gearless segments or shoes 32) which normally ride against the toothless portions of a turret ring 322 secured to the periphery of the turret 2Q, as by bolts. Theremainder of the periphery of the gear 17S is provided with teeth which are meshable with a gear segment 324(Figs. 2l and 24) provided in the periphery of the ring 322 between station 2, the lamp loading station, and sta tion 3, the base loading and positioning station (Fig. 24). At station 5 (Figs. 3 and 23) the ring 322 has a depending extension to permit vertical reciprocation of the spindle 174 thereat.

It will be understood that when the operator inserts a lamp 7d into a bulb holder head 4G at either station l or 2 that the common lead Wire 9B is pulled toward the operator away from the tabulation 76 and bent over the seal of the lamp 79. ln turn the major filament lead wire 32 (which is to be threaded through eyelet 84v of the base 78) and the minor filament lead wire 86 (which is to be threaded through the hole of ltheV base ring 8S of a base 73) are pulled upwardly in a vertical plane parallel t0 the vertical axis lamp 7l).

When the gear teeth on the gear 173 engage the gear segment 324, the bulb holder shaft 174 and they lamp 7b, held therein, are rotated exactly 180 so that the common lead wire 9@ faces inwardly toward the center of the base threading machine 1li. Since the bulb holder fingers 1% do not rotate with the lamp 70, the lingers 1% are momentarily opened by engagement of the operating lever 20G with a stationary cam 293 (Figs. 24 and 25 to permit thel facile rotation of the bulb 70 by the bulb holder rotating Vmechanism 179. The camr- 2533 is mounted on the lamp transfer mechanism 164, as hereinafter explained.

After the rotation of the bulb 70 by the rotating mechanism 179, the left hand shoe 320 of the gear 17S (when viewed in Fig. 21) is now engaged with the toothless portion of the ring 322. This engagement between the toothless portion'of the ring 322 and the shoe 32d of the gear 178 is continuous (Fig. 22), so that the transfer mechanism 194 delivers the lamp 70 from a head lll of the machine 1li to a basing machine head 165 (Fig, 2) of the basing machine 168, with the common lead-in Wire tlfacing outwardly from the center of the basing machine 1&8. This positioning of the common lead wire 9b permits the soldering of the lead wire 90 to a. shell 92 of a base 78 on the basing machine 1&8.

. As shown particularly 234 Vis rectangular in horizontal cross section and rezeeman 7 Base positioning mechanism The base positioning mechanism 100 (Figs. 2 through has an upstanding mounting bracket 230 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) secured,` as by bolts, to the outer periphery of the tableY 26 of the base threading machine 10. This Abracket 230 carries a yoke 232 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) whichY is Yprovided With a base positioning mechanism shaft Vguide hole 234V on the left hand'end thereof, when viewed in Fig; 4. -K in Fig. 4, this shaft guide hole ceives, inj reciprocable engagement therein, a reciprooable-but not rotatable, base positioningmechanism shaftV 236 provided with a rectangular horizontal cross sectionon its upper portions. The shaft 236 has (Fig. 7) a generally circular cross section on its lower portions below the guide hole 234 to permit rotation of a base holder head 250 thereon, as hereinafter explained.

The left end of the lever 238 (when viewed in Pig.V

26 of the base threading machine 10. The other end of the lever 241 carries Va cam roller for engagement with the base positioning mechanism operating cam 128 on the main cam shaft 124. Y

The base positioning mechanism shaft 236 extends substantially below the guide hole 234 in the yoke 232, and

(Figs. 4,5 and 7) where its horizontal rectangular cross section changes to a generally circular cross section, carries a base positioning mechanism rotating 245 ofra base holderhead rotating mechanism 246. VThe gear 245 is continuously rotatable on a suitable bushing on the reciprocable shaft 236. A suitable shoulder is provided on the shaft 236 below the gear 24S to support the gear Y 245. VA pair of spring tensioned pins 247 extend through lthe gear 245 (Fig. 5) and thread into an annular friction drive ring 248. This ring 248 engages and .resiliently frictionally drives a hollow base holder head casting or body 249 of the base holder head 250Y (Figs. 4, 5 and l0). The reciprocable, but not rotatable, shaft 236 carries a base locating pin mounting plate 252 (Figs. 5 and 9) on its'lower end. Between the shoulder on the shaft 236 and the plate 252, a dog trip plate 254 (Fig. 5) is secured Ato the shaft 236, as by bolts, for use as hereinter explained. The locating pin mounting plate 252 carries a vertically axial base eyelet hole locating pin 256 and a resiliently mounted spring tensioned base ring hole locating pin 258 (Fig. 5) mounted on the outer periphery of the ring 252.

Base holder heatl The body 249 of the base holder head 250 is rotatable on suitable bushings in a generally hollow mounting plate 260 secured on the upper portions of the mount rods 190 (Figs. 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9). This body 249 is a generally hollow semi-cylinder provided with a base delivery plunger mechanism guide hole 261, l for useI as hereinafter explained. In addition, the body '249 has an upper shoulder or flange 262 (Fig. 4)V which rides in an annular groove 264 cut in the top face of the mounting plate 266 (Figs. 5 and 9). As shown'in Fig. 9, the groove 264 is provided with a dog locking segment 266 (Fig. 5), of greater depth then the remainder of the annular groove 264. A dog 268 (Figs. 5 and 9) is pivotable on a suitable pin (Fig. 9) mounted across a dog slot 272 provided in thebody 249. A compression spring (Fig. 5), in a suitablehole in the body 249 (Fig. 5), compresses the upper arm of the dog 26S to normally project above the body l249. In this way the lower arm of the dog 268 normally remains in engagement with the locking 'segmentV 266 ofthe annular groove 264 (Fig. 9) in CAD the plate 260.

Itwill be understood that as the reciprocable shaft 236 descends, the dog trip plate 254 pushes down the upper arm Vof the dog268 to permit rotation of the base holder head body 249 along with the friction drive ring 248 and the gear 245.

As shown particularly in Fig. 10 a generally semi-circular base holder mounting andretaining plate 280 of generally larger radius than the lower portions of the body 249 is secured to the body 249, as by a bolt 282. The plate 280 is provided with hub portions 284 (Fig. l0) from which depend a pair ofbase holder anni pins 286. Each of these pins 286 carry a base holder nger 288, spring torsioned by means of a spring (Figs. 5 and In addition to the gear 245V on the shaft 236 the base holder head rotating mechanism 246 (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7) has a gear 390 in engagement with the gear 245. It will be understood that the height of thelgear 390 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) is substantially greater `than the height of the gear 245 to permit the continued engagement Vwith the gear 245, during the reciprocation of the shaft 236, at station 5 the lamp transfer station.

The gear 380 is mounted on a vertical shaft 302 suitably journaled in an upper bearing 304'(Figs. 3 and 4) projecting` from the mountingbracket 230 of the base positioning mechanism 180 and a lower bearing 306 secured in the table 26 of the base threading machine 10. The shaft 302 carries a gear 308 below the table 26 (Figs. 2 and 3) in engagement with -a driver gear 310. The gear 310 (Fig. k3) is rotatable on a vertical shaft depending from the table-26 and is driven by a sprocket 312 carried onV its` lower end inv engagement with `the sprocket chain of the right angle drive 162. Y

Operation As a lamp holder head 40 and a base holder head 250 are indexed to station 3, therbase loading and base positioning station of "the base threading machine l0, the operator inserts abase 78 through the spring torsioned tingers'f288 into the base nest 292 of the base holder head body 249. It will be understood that at this point the shaft 236 and the driven gear are in the up position or dotted position, shown in Fig. 4. `At a predetermined time the shaft 236 is reciprocated downwardly through the guide hole 234 in the yoke 232 by the base positioning mechanism operating cam 128 and the above described connecting linkagev comprising the lever 242, the connecting rod 240 and they lever 238 (Figs. 3, 4 and S).- VNear the end' Vof the downward travel of the shaft 236 the dog tripping plate 254 on the shaft 236 has depressed the upper ann of the dog 268 (Figs. 5 and 9) thus raising the lower arm of the dog 268 from the locking segment 266 in the annular groove 264.

The friction drive ring 248Vcontinuously rotated by the gear 245 is forced downwardly into frictional engagement with the top face of the base holder body 249, thus causing said body and the base 78 held by the fingers 288 in the nest 292 therein to rotate therewith. The lower arm of the dog 268 then rotates inthe annular groove 264 provided in the top face of the mounting plate 260 It be further understood that at the end of the downward travel of the shaft 236 to the down position shown in Fig. 4, the center base locating pin 256 has been inserted into the eyelet del of the base 78. rEhe stationary spring tensioned ring hole centering pin 253 is riding around the ring S3 of the rotating base 78 until it encounters the hole therein, and drops thereinto, as shown in Fig. 5. At this point the base 7S is held securely by `the pins 255 and 258 and no longer rotates with the base holder head body 249 and liange mounting plate 289.

Shortly thereafter, the shaft 236 is reciprocated upwardly by the cam 13S and the above described connecting linkage from the down position shown in Fig. 4 to its up or dotted position shown in Fig. 4. The dog tripping plate 254 releases the spring tensioned dog 2-53 thus permitting the lower arm thereof to once more engage the locking segment 266 of the annular groove 26d in the top face of the mounting plate "fm it will be Add'.

understood that meanwhile the gear 245, the friction threading station.

Lead wire threading mechanism The lead wire threading mechanism 192 at station 4 of the lead wire threading machine 1t) (Figs. 2, 3, 11 through and 3l) comprises essentially a lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism 33t), a lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332 and a base delivery plunger mechanism 334 which, as hereinafter explained, are mounted on a mounting bracket 336 opstanding from the table 26 of the machine 1l?.

General operation of lead wire threading mechanism It will be understood that at the start of the operating cycle at station 4 the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism 338 (Fig. 11) closes about the upper end portions or the major lament lead wire 82 and the minor lament lead wire 86 to position the end portions thereof, to be received within hollow needles 338 and 346 of the lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332.

Simultaneously with the closing of the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism 335B, the lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332 starts to reciprocate `downwardly with respect to the hase delivery plunger mechanism 334, for example approximately 21/8. The needles 338 and 3411 pass through the hole in the base ring 85 and the eyelet 3dof a base 78 held in the base holder head 259. Then the base delivery plunger mechanism 334 begins to travel downwardly with the lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332 for another approximately 11/2 of travel.

During this travel the lead wire receiving needle mecha- `nisrn 332 completes its stroke (Fig. 13) and receives the lead wires 82 and 86 previously aligned by the lead wire stretching and positioning mechanism 339. The base delivery plunger mechanism 334 has picked up a positioned base 73 and moved the base 78 downwardly through the base holder head 253 toward the lamp 70 in the bulb holder head 4i). The lead wire stretching and positioning mechanism 338 now swings open to`perrnit the base delivery plunger mechanism 334 (Fig. l5) to continue downwardly with respect to the needles 338 and 340 of lead Wire receiving needle mechanism 332 and the leads 82 and 86 Within the needles 338 and 34@ for approximately another 5s to position the base 78 with respect to a lamp 70.

Meanwhile the upper ends of the major lament lead 10 `lire 32 and minor lament lead wire 86, secured within the needles 338 and 340, have been threaded through respectively the eyelet 8d of the base 78 and the hole in the base ring 88 ofthe base 7S.

Lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a horizontal lever shaft 210 is suitably journaled in a pair of brackets 212 depending from the table 26 of the machine 1t), adjacent the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw cam 131), the lead wire receiving needle cam 132 and the base delivery plunger cam 134. A lead wire stretching and positioning jaw lever 346 is rotatable on the shaft 2110 and carries a cam roller on one end, held in engagement with the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw cam 130. The other end of the lever 346 is exibly connected to a vertical connecting rod 348 (Figs. 2, 3 and 13).

A generally horizontal connecting lever 350 (Figs. 1l, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 31) is rotatable on a shaft 352 journaled in a suitable Vbracket 354 xed to the inner portions or" the mounting bracket 336. Therlever 350 (Fig. 3l) is joined at its outer end to the upper portionof the connecting rod 348 and carries a Vertical link 356 on its inner end (Figs. ll, 12, 13, 15 and 17). As shown in Figs. 12, 14 and 3l, theshaft 352 extends through the bracket 354 and carries thereon a short lever 358 which is similar to the right hand portion of the lever 350, when viewed in Fig. 14. The inner end of the lever 358 (Figs. 12 and 14) carries a link 360, similar to the link 356 carried by the lever 350.

The generally vertical depending links 356 and 360 each carry respectively on opposite sides of the bracket 354 (Fig. 1l particularly) a generally horizontal lever 362 and 364 respectively. The free ends of the levers 362 and 364 (Fig. 11) are fixed respectively to horizontal shafts 366 and 368 (Fig. 17) journaled in suitable brackets 369 and 370 (Figs. 15 and 17) ailixed to the outer side walls of an inner housing slide 372 (Figs. 11 and 13). This housing slide 372 is slidable Within the bracket 354, on guides 373 (Fig. 14) secured to the bracket 354 as by bolts. The slide 372 depends substantially below (Figs. 1l and l2) the bracket 354.'

These shafts 366 and 363 (Figs. 15 and 17) each carry respectively a pair of generally vertically depending lead wire positioning and stretching jaw mounting levers 374 and 376 and 378 and 38) (Fig. 31). The lower portions of the levers 374 and 376, 378 and 380 are connected by horizontal pins 382 (Figs. 13, 15 and 1S) for adjustably mounting therebetween, by means of suitable vertical slots in the levers 374, 376, 378 and 330 and lead wire stretching and positioning jaw blocks 390 and 392 (Figs. 11, 13, 15 and 18 through 20).

Lead wire stretching and positioning jaws These jaws mounting blocks 390 and 392 carry removable and adjustable jaws 394 and 395 on their recessed jaw mounting portions (Figs. 11, 13 and 15) and lead wire stretching lingers 396 and 397 on their bottom faces respectively, Figs. 11, 13 and 18 through 20. Each of the jaws 394 and 395 has a lead Wire guide or centering plate 398 mounted on either the block 390 or the block 392. Each plate 398 is provided with a hollow conical upper lead wire guide portion. An upper needle guide plate 399 rests on the lead wire centering plate398 and is provided with an inverted conical needle entrance portion. A suitable pin integrates the lead wire centering plate 398 and the needle guide plate 399 with the jaw receiving portion of either the block 390 and block 392.

It will be understood that when the jaws 394 and 395 close, the lead wire guide lingers 396 and 397 grasp the lead Wires 82 and 86 (Fig. 13). Simultaneously the lead wire centering plates 398 center .the wires 82 and 86. Atl this point in the lead wire stretching and positioning `operation the lead wires S2 and 86 extendv beyond the needle guide plates 399 (Fig. 11).

Vneedles 338 and 340 therethrough (Fig. '12).

assises l'lead wires 82 andi86 are positioned to be received within the needles 338 and 340 as said needles descend through the needle'guide plate 399, thereabove, as hereinafter described.

Base V'delivery plunger mechanism f' As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the horizontal lever shaft 210 also carries a base delivery plunger cam lever 460 Ythereonyadjacent to the base delivery plunger cam 134.

A cam Vroller on one endk of the lever 403 is held in engagement with Vthe base delivery plunger cam 134. The other end of'the lever 488 is joined to a generally vertical connecting rod 402 (Figs. 2,"3V and 13). A generally horizontal lever 404 is connected to the other end 'of the rod 402 andis secured to a horizontal shaft A4116 'journaled in suitable bearings upstanding from the bas Vslide 372.

`The'bottom portion of the housing 414 (Figs. 12, 13, -14 and 17) carries lead wire receiving needle mechanism slide guide 417, for use as hereinafter explained. A base delivery plunger 420 is carried on the lower ends of the guides 417 (Figs. 11, 12, 13). The plunger 420 is suitably provided with needle vholes for projection of the The plunger 420 is also provided with abase receiving nest 426, contoured to lit the upper end of a base 78 (Fig. v1l). Suitable holes are provided in the nest 426 for connection with a pair of exible vacuum lines 428 and 430 (Figs. 11, 12, 14 andy 15) which extend up along the guides 417, through the housing 414 and thence V,as shown in Fig. Y12 to a suitable vacuum system (not shown). i

It will be understood that after the plunger 420 Vhas received the base 78 within the nest 426, said base 78' is retained therein during its downward ,descent (with the plunger 418 and head 420) by means of the vacuum created through the lines Y428 and 430.

It will be further understood that during the downward 4travel of the plunger 420, the plunger 420 is partially guided by means ofthe basedelivery mechanism guide hole 261 in the body 249 of a base holder head 250.V

. Lead wire receiving needle mechanism A*and l5) joins the inner end of the lever 434 with a vertical needle plunger or slide rod 438 of circularcross (section (Figs. 12 and 17). -Y

As hereinbefore mentioned this slide rod 438 reciprocatesin the guides 417 carried by the guide housing 414 of the basev delivery plunger mechanism334. As shown particularly in Figs. 12 and 17 the slide rod 438 (Figs.

' 111,# 12, 13 and 15) carries a needle mounting block 440 on its lower end. The needles V338 and 340 project 12 n downwardly from the blockVV 440 and obviously are capable of passing through the needle holes in the'base delivery plunger 420, the hole in the base ring 88 and the eyelet 84 of a base'78 respectively, and overV the aligned ends of the major filament lead wire 82, and the minor filament lead wire 86.

SpecificV operation of the lead wire vthreading mechanism Shortly after a bulb holder head 40 (carrying a lamp 70) and a base holder head 250 (carrying a positioned base 78) have indexed into station 4, the lead Wire stretching and positioning jaw cam moves the roller carrying end of cam lever 342 downwardly, the conf necting rod 348 upwardly and the operating end of the levers 350 and 358 and the slide 372 (Figs. l1, 13 and l5) downwardly. Through the links 356 and 360 (Fig. 31) and the levers 362, 364 and levers 374 and 376 and the levers 378 and 380 (carrying respectively the jaw blocks 390 and 392 and the jaws 394V and 395) are moved toward each other. The jaws 394 and 395 grasp the ends of the lead wires 82 and .86 therebetween and move up to stretch and align said lead wires for insertion later into the needles 338 and 340 respectively.

Simultaneous with the actuation of: the lead wire stretchingand positioning mechanism 330, the lead wire receiving needle cam 132 moves'the'roller carrying end of the cam lever.431 downwardly, thus'moving the connecting rod 432 upwardlyv and the operating end of the horizontal lever 434Vdownwardly (Fig. 13). the lever 436, the slide rod 438 Visreciprrocated downwardly, for example approximately 2%, carrying the needle block 440 and the needles 338 and 340 therewith. At the completion of this downward travel the needles 338 and 340 are projecting, respectively, through the hole in the ring 88 and the eyelet 84 of a base 78 held in a base holder head 250 (Fig. 13). Y

Immediately thereafter the base delivery plunger mechanism cam 134 moves the roller carrying end of the cam lever 400 downwardly. This motion moves the connecting rod 402 upwardly and the operating end of the lever 404 in a downward direction. As a result, the slide housing 414, `the plunger 418 and the base delivery head 420 of the base delivery plunger mechanism 334 move downwardly together with the lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332, for example approxi mately 11/5". During this travel the lead wire receiving needles 338 and 340 engage the aligned ends of the lead wires 82 and 86. The base delivery plunger 420 engages a base 78 in the nest 426 and holds said base 78 therein by means of the vacuum in the lines 428 and 430. The plunger 420 moves the base 78 from the base holder head 250Ydownwardly toward thelamp 70 held in the bulb holder 40 therebeneath.

It will be Vunderstood that at the end of this travel the lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332 ceases to move downwardly, and that the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism 330 is opened by means of a reversal of the above described motion of the lead wire stretching and positioning jaw mechanism 330.

Therbase delivery plunger mechanism 334 continues downwardly, for example aboutrs" (Fig. 15) further, through the now opened jaws 394 and 395V to position the base 78 about the sealed portion of the lamp 70.1

The vacuum in the lines 428 and 430 of the base delivery plunger mechanism 332 is then shut otf by` means (not shown) such as cam action, and both the lead wire receiving needle mechanism 332 .and the base delivery plunger mechanism 334 are'r'eciprocated upwardly by their respective cams 132 and 134 and the above described connecting linkages to their normally up position shown in Fig. 11.

The now threaded base 78, and lamp y7 0 are indexed from station 4, the lead wire threading station, to station 5, the lamp transfer` station, rwherethe base 78 threaded with the lead wires 82 and 86, and the lamp 70 Through aaafaae 13 are transferred by the transfer mechanism 104 hom the head 40 of the lead wire threading machine 10, `to a head 106 of the basing machine 105.

Transfer mechanism The lamp transfer mechanism 104 (Figs. 2 and 3 particularly) has a vertical shaft 500 journaled in a suitable bracket 502 (Fig. 3) which depends from the under side of the table 26 of the lead wire threading machine 10. This shaft carries a bell crank lever 504 having a follower arm (Fig. 2) which is provided with a roller for engagement with the transfer mechanism barrel cam 135. The opposite arm of the bell crank lever 504 carries a segmental gear in engagement with a gear 508 on a vertical shaft 510. The shaft 510 is likewise journaled in suitable brackets below the table 26 and adjacent to the shaft S60.

Above the gear 508 this shaft 510 is provided with a second gear 512, of larger diameter than the gear 508, which meshes with a gear 514 (Fig. 3) fixed to a vertical pinion shaft 516 extending through the hollow support shaft 22 ofthe turret 20 and a transfer mechanism mounting bracket 517 fixed to the top of the support shaft 22. As shown particularly in Fig. 3, the shaft 516 carries a pinion drive gear 518 on its upper end (Fig. 23).

As shown in Figs. 23 through 28, the transfer mechanism mounting bracket 517 has a guide housing portion 520 of generally U-shaped vertical cross section. A slide 522 (Figs. 26 through 28) provided with a longitudinal clearance slot for the shaft 516 is slidable within the guide housing 520. The slide 522 (Fig. 27) carries a gear rack 524 which is in engagement with the drive gear 518 on the shaft 516.

In addition to the rack 524, the slide 522 also carries the reciprocating bulb holder jaw opening cam 202 (Figs. 3, 23, 24, and 26). This cam 202 is essentially a longitudinal horizontal plate provided with a horizontally inclined right hand end portion (when viewed in Fig. 24) along which the roller on the end of the operating lever 200 of a bulb holder head may ride.

As shown particularly in Fig. 28 the left hand end of` the guide housing 520 (when viewed in Fig. 24) carries a cam mounting bracket 523 upon which the hereinbefore mentioned stationary bulb holder jaw opening cam 203 is mounted. It will be recalled that the cam 203 opens the bulb holder paws 196 of a bulb holder head 40 during the hereinbefore mentioned rotation of a lamp 70 by the bulb holder rotating mechanism 179 between stations 2 and 3.

In Figs. 23, 24 and 25 the right hand end portion of the slide 522 carries a bulb transfer head 530, shown particularly in detail in Fig. 29. A body 532 of each head 530 is secured thereon by means of a pin 534 which serves as a horizontal pivot of a universal joint, thus permitting rotation of the head 530 in a horizontal plane.

The body 532 has age'nerally hollow vacuum line portion and is connected to a vacuumtransfer cup 536 by means of a ball and socket joint of the above mentioned universal joint. The ball and socket joint'permits vertical movement of the cup S36 with respect to the body 532. The cup 536 carries a rubber ring S38 which serves as a seal between the cup 536 and envelope 72 of a lamp 70. A pair of split semi-cylindrical spring retaining sleeves or spring holders 540 are contained within the hollow portion of the body 532. A pin 542 extends through clearance holes in the body S32 and the ball and socket joint and the split sleeves 540. A spring extending from a stop 543 to a suitable shoulder provided in both of the sleeves 540 exerts pressure on the pin 542 and permits slight longitudinal adjustment to allow for variations in the diameter of the lamp envelopes 72. A vacuum line 546 extends from a suitable vacuum supply (not shown) to the hollow portion of the transfer head body 532.

14 Operation lt will be understood that when a lamp 70 held in a bulb holder head y40 is indexed into station "5 the trans- Afer station, the envelope 72 rides against therubber ring 53S. During the contact between the 'envelope 72 and the ring 538 it will be understood that the pivotable movement of the body 532 in a horizontal plane about the pin 534 permits horizontal adjustments between the transfer cup 536 and the envelope to seat the envelope 72 in the ring 53S. The ball and socket joint between the transfer cup 536 and the transfer head body 532 similarly provides for vertical angular adjustments therebetween. The clearance slots in the body 534 through which the pin 542 extends (due to the action of 'the spring within the sleeves 540) provides some longitudinal axial adjustment between the envelope 72 and the ring 538.

In addition, lwhen -a lamp 70 and a head '40 index into station 5 the roller on the operating lever l200 of a head `40 cornes to rest against the inclined portion of the cam 202 on the slide 522.

It will be understood that after the envelope 72 has engaged the ring 538 of the transfer cup 53S that the vacuum on the line 546 (Figs. 24 and 29) is actuated -by means (not shown), such as cam action tosecurely hold the lamp 70 therein. Shortly thereafter the head pulldown mechanism lowers the bulb holder nests 172 on the bulb holder head 40 of the machine 10 and the bulb holder head 106 of the machine 108, thus leaving the lamp 70 held by the bulb holder jaws 196 and 198 and the transfer cup 536.

Asshown in Figs. 2 and 3 the' transfer mechanism cam 136 at a predetermined time will move the follower lever 504, the shaft 500 and the gear segment lever 506 p in a counterclockwise direction. The gears 508 and 4512 on the shaft 510 (Fig. 3) are rotated in a clockwise direction. Hence, the gears 514 and 518 on the shaft 516 rotate in a counterclockwise direction. As a result the gear rack S24-carried by the slide 522 and the transfer head 530 will be moved to the `right (when viewed in Figs. 24 and 25). This movement causes the roller on the operating lever 200 of a head 40 to ride along the cam 202, open the jaws 196 and to permit the transfer of the lamp 70 to a position above a head 106 of the basing machine 108.

The pull-down mechanism 110 releases the head 106 to seat the transferred lamp 70 in a nest 172 of the head 166. The vacuum within the transfer head 530 is cut olf, releasing the lamp 70. The transfer mechanism barrel cam 136 returns the transfer mechanism 104 to Iits starting position through a reversal of the above described linkage. The pull-down mechanism 110 may either release the head 40, or `the head 40 may be returned to its up position by the action of the pull down arm on the spindle 174 riding off the yoke 218 of v the head pull-down mechanism 110 during the next index.

Although `a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will-be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:y

l. In combination for a machine for threading the lead wires of a sealed lamp through predetermined holes in a base, a base holder head comprising a base holder mounting plate, a body rotatable in said plate and adapted to receive said base therein and means on said body for securing said base therein, and a base positioning mechanism comprising a mounting bracket andV a yoke, a shaft reciprocable in said yoke, a friction drive ring rotatable on said shaft and engageable with said body to cause rotation of the latter, reciprocating means connected to said shaft and for moving said friction drive ring into and out of engagement with said body, means connected to said friction drive ring and for rotating the latter and locating pins carried by said shaft "abaisse rotated by said friction drive ring to orient said base in a predetermined position;

2. In combination for a machine for threading the `lead wires of a sealed lamp through predetermined holes in a base, a base holder head comprising mounting means and a body rotatable in said mounting means and adapted .to secure said base therein, and a base positioning mecha-y nism comprising support means, a mounting member reciprocable in said support means, a drive member rovtatable on said mounting member and engageable with said body to cause rotation of the latter, reciprocatingY means connected to said mounting member and for movving said drive member into and out of engagement with said body, means connected to said drive member and for yrotating the latter and locating membersV carried by said mounting member and engageable with said base,'said locating members being adaptedto insert themselves into the predetermined holes in said base when said body and said base are being rotated by said drive member to -orient said base in a predetermined position.

3. In combination for a machine for threading the lead wires of a sealed lamp through predetermined holes .in a'base, a base holder head comprising mounting means, Va bodyrotatable in said mounting means and adapted to receive said base therein, means on said body -for securing said base therein and'locking means carried 'by said body and normally engageable withsaid mount-V ing means to prevent rotation of said Vbody with respectV thereto, and a base positioning mechanism comprisingV support means, a mounting member reciprocable in said 4support means, a drive member rotatable on said'mount- :ing member and engageable with said body to cause rotation of the'latter, reciprocating means connected to said mounting member and for moving said drive member into and out of engagement with said body, means connected to said drive member and for rotating the latter,

locating members carried by said mounting member and ,engageable with said base, said locating members being adapted to insert themselves into the predeterminedV holes -in said base when said body and said base are being r0- tated by said Adrive memberto orient'said base in a. predetermined position, and tripping means'carried by said mounting member and operable 'during movement of said drive member toward said body to release said locking means thereby permitting rotation of said body by said drive member With respect to said mounting means.

4. In combination for a machine for threading the lead wires of a sealed lamp through predeterminedV holes in a base, a base holder head comprising mounting means, a body rotatable in said mounting means and adapted to receive saidY base therein, means on said body for securing said base therein and a dog pivoted on said body and normally'engageable with said mounting means to prevent rotation of said body with respect thereto, and a base positioning mechanism comprising support means, a shaft reciprocable in said support means, fa friction drive ring rotatable on said shaft andV engageable with said body to causeV rotation of thelatter, reciprocating means connected to said shaft and forinoV-ing said friction' drive ring into and out, of engagement with said body, means connected to said friction drive ring and for rotating the latter, locating pins carried by said shaft and engageabl'e with said base, said locating pins being adapted to insert themselves into the predetermined holes in said base when said bodyv and said base are being rotated by said friction drive ring to orient said base in a predetermined position, and ya trip plate carried by said shaft and operable during movement of said friction Vdrive ring toward said body to release said dog thereby permitting rotation of said body by said friction driv ring with respect to said mountingmeans.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

